‘‘It was pretty good we won. It was really exciting – I couldn’t wait to play in more games,’’ he says. ‘‘Ever since I played my maiden state game, I thought maybe I could push things a bit, do more.’’

That tournament – the under-15s nationals, held in Tasmania – was not only the first of many medals for Pollard, 21, but also the first of many appearance in state and national competitions.

The Greensborough Hockey Club member has appeared in a long list of championships, including the under-16s Australian school boys team in 2004; the state league in 2005; the under-21s Australian team; the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in 2007 (where the team won gold); and in 2008, Pollard was selected to join the prestigious Victorian Institute of Sport’s Vikings and again made the under-21s national team.

But despite all his accomplishments, Pollard remains relatively unimpressed by himself. ‘‘Yeah, it’s all good,’’ he says casually.

But one aspect of his sports career that excites him is its travel opportunities. ‘‘It’s good to see the world, to do a bit of travelling. It’s good to do that with hockey,’’ he says.

Pollard might never have started the sport without the support of his family. Pollard’s brother and father played the sport and encouraged the then-11-year-old to pick up a stick and have a go. But despite their encouragement, the midfielder says he’s always been driven by what he wanted to do.

‘‘They were really supportive, but I just wanted to do it myself, really,’’ he says. ‘‘I wanted to play at the highest level, pretty much.’’

For his sporting inspiration, Pollard looks up to Australian track cyclist Anna Meares. ‘‘She hurt her back; she was told she couldn’t walk again but she went on to win gold again,’’ he says. ‘‘She’s done really well.’’

Pollard had to give up playing football to accommodate his hockey career, but he still finds it challenging, balancing training and full-time work as a carpenter.

‘‘I play six times a week and I work five days a week so, I’ve got to fit everything in.’’

But if push came to shove, and he had to make a choice between the two, Pollard says that choice would be easy to make. ‘I’d have to pick hockey,’’ he says. ‘‘I want to play, while I still can.’’

Do you know a local sports star who deserves recognition? Email alana.schetzer@fairfax.com.au or visit communitysportsstar.com.au to find out more.